At Bob's Bar in Glassport, helping children is seasonal -- all four seasons.

Since 1977, patrons of the small neighborhood establishment have given more than $150,000 to the Free Care Fund of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh through their year-round habit of tossing change into donation boxes and leaving dollar bills behind.

So far this year, more than $15,200 has been collected.

"Nobody gets a bigger charge out of this than I do," said owner Bob Wawrzeniak, 79, about writing the check to Children's every year during Christmas week.

"I lay the check on the pool table for everyone to read. Then I send it in the mail in a Christmas card that everyone signs," he said.

It all began 32 years ago when customers started flipping coins on the canopy above the bar for fun.

When someone suggested using the accumulated change to fund a party, Mr. Wawrzeniak said no, joking that the men party every day.

When Paul "Poodge" Stecak asked, "How about Children's?" the bar's collection drive, which includes Mr. Mawrzeniak's donated bartending tips, was begun. A wall chart graphs rising totals over the years and starts with $1,800 penciled in for 1977.

On another wall are plaques from Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Lions Club, and the Glassport Heritage Society in recognition of the clientele's generosity.

"It's absolutely phenomenal. He doesn't do any advertising, yet people seem to know he does this. We wish we had more Bob's Bars," said Scott Gluck, director of annual giving for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.

"I love kids," said 45-year patron Mr. Stecak, 66, of Glassport, on why he contributes every time he walks the block from his home to Bob's.

"It's a good cause," said Tom Milczarczyk, 57, of Bethel Park, a former Glassport resident who stops by the bar to see Mr. Wawrzeniak and make a donation whenever he visits town.

Mr. Wawrzeniak, who was born and raised in Glassport, bought the former Chuck's Bar from his uncle, Chuck Pokropski, in 1956.

While it has changed little in appearance over the years, time has left its mark.

"I remember in the old days a lot more coins being thrown in boxes. Now people just leave dollars on the counter," said Mr. Milczarczyk.

To donate to the Free Card Fund, visit www.givetochildrens.org.

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